Google Seoul

At Google Seoul, we're helping to bring Korea’s tech enthusiasm to the rest of the world.
We’ve developed products like Mobile Search with local users in mind, but also made
global impacts through products like Google TV. Our sales teams help advertisers utilize
rising ad platforms like Mobile and Display Ads, and grow with Google by reaching both
Korean and international clients. And our chefs make some awesome bulgogi.

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Inside Google Seoul

Korea’s the most plugged-in country in the world, and Google is leading the way in
the ongoing mobile revolution. For example, Korea has the most Google Play
Store downloads per capita in the world – and we’re just getting started. Korea’s
enthusiasm for technology gives us a different set of opportunities and challenges
than other Google offices.

We have a relentless focus on serving Korean users, customers and partners. Our
engineers have worked on customizing Search for local users and developed products
that cater to the global markets, such as Google TV
and Google Maps
technologies. We’ve partnered with companies like Samsung and LG to develop Android
phones and other products. And our sales teams work closely with Korean advertisers
to help them grow with Google.

Like Googlers across the globe, we get to work in a colorful, fun workplace, with
everything from foosball and pool tables to bean bag chairs and singing rooms. Like
bulgogi and bibimbap? You’ll love our cafeteria.

Best of all, we enjoy a culture that gives us the ability to identify and act on
opportunities regardless of title. Between that and our relatively small size, our
Googlers can have an enormous impact on our success in Korea.

With engineering and sales together on the same floor, we have a lot of personal
interaction and a really entrepreneurial atmosphere.

- Ted Cho, Engineering Director

Google Seoul: Frequently Asked Questions

Where’s Google Seoul located?

In Gangnam-gu, amidst some of the tallest office buildings in the city. Our building,
the Gangnam Finance Centre, is itself the ninth tallest in Seoul. We’re on the 21st and
22nd floors – the views are amazing. We’re two subway stops away from COEX Mall, the
city’s largest underground shopping center, and Bongeunsa, a Zen Buddhist temple built
in the 8th century, and a short walk from Kukkiwon (a.k.a. World Taekwondo
Headquarters).

How is Google Seoul different from other Google locations?

Because we’re smaller than many Google locations, we’re especially nimble. We work
quickly, collaborate a lot and are able to make an immediate impact. What we do makes a
meaningful impact on Google’s presence in Korea.

What are you doing to grow Google’s business in Korea?

Koreans are tremendously tech savvy. The country has outstanding technology
infrastructure. Broadband and mobile networks are lightning fast, for instance, and
Seoul is rolling out free WiFi in public spaces throughout the city. We see that as
providing tremendous opportunities for products like Android,
YouTube and
Google
TV. We’re at the forefront of some of the most exciting innovations in the mobile
space – for example, our engineers have made huge strides in Mobile Search. And Korea
is one of the countries in which world-leading Android OEM partners, like Samsung and
LG, have introduced next generation Android devices.

Have any cool launches come out of Google Seoul?

We’ve shipped key features of Search and Transit Navigation for Google Maps
which helps you get from here to there using public or mass transit. And recently one
of our engineers developed a very cool Korean input method editor (IME) for Android. He
patented it, and it’s gotten rave reviews from Korean users.

Do you do anything to help Nooglers and Googlers from other countries adjust to working
at Google Seoul?

We offer Nooglers small-group tutoring in English and for our international Googlers,
Korean lessons.

How do Seoul Googlers have fun?

We’ve hosted everyone from YouTube sensation David Choi and K-pop girl group 2NE1 to
former government ministers and Vint Cerf, one of the fathers of the Internet. We go on
cool team off-sites – everywhere from ski resorts to the opera to the stunning island
of Jeju. We have an awesome year-end party. And we get together informally for
activities like karaoke.

Does Google Korea do anything to build relationships with Korean developers?

We host several Google nights each year, to which we invite developers
and students to demo our products and take part in technical talks. And Googlers from
across our office come together to promote and work on hackathons a couple of times a
year, which are a huge success. We also participate in external developer events and
host Android
Developer Lab (ADL) with more than 300 Korean developers every year.

Life at Google Seoul

Most Wanted Work Environments

The Seoul office takes top honors in Job Korea’s survey on most desired workplaces.